We live here so we can enjoy the peace, freedom, and natural beauty of our rural island paradise.

Like many of us, we came here to escape the tyranny of “civilization” – the rules, regulations, oversight, and restrictions that are such an oppressive part of daily life on the mainland.

But two of our candidates have built their careers around such rules and regulations.

Lovel Pratt and Jamie Stevens seem to revel in making regulations and creating a new bureaucracy, dictating how we should live our lives and use our property. Ms. Pratt and Mr. Stevens seem confident that they know better than we on how our money should be spent, how we should treat each other, and how we should enjoy our surroundings.

In the rare event of any doubt, they are quick to import hand-picked outside “experts” to tell us how we should live. Ms. Pratt and Mr. Stevens seem to believe more rules and regulations will improve our lives, but, thankfully, most of us know better.

Ms. Pratt was ousted by voters in November. Why? One reason was the furor surrounding the Critical Areas Ordinance and her obvious indifference to the concerns of her constituents about the oppressive legislation and its profound negative impacts.

What did she do after losing the election? In the final lame-duck days of her term, she signed the very CAO that her constituents opposed. This is not leadership.

If you are concerned as well, join in reelecting Bob Jarman, reelecting Rick Hughes, and electing Brian McClerren so that we can preserve our precious freedoms and live in peace.

Fred & Carolyn Bowen, Bill & Maria Wertz/San Juan Island